By Fatih Erel

ISTANBUL

The 54th Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey began on Tuesday in Konya.

For the second time, Tour of Turkey has been held in World Tour category.

The first stage started in Konya and will end in the same city on a 149.7 km route.

The Tour of Turkey was promoted to World Tour category and will reach a wide audience through broadcasts in more than 120 countries.

This year's edition sees 20 teams from across the world, including the Turkish national team, race in the 950-kilometer, 6-stage tour.

Organized by the Turkish Cycling Federation, the Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey debuted in 1963 and became an international race two years later.

In the world's only cycling tour to connect the continents, cyclists will also ride in Eurasia tunnel connecting Europe to Asia under the Bosphorus.

Nine "World Tour" teams are among 20 teams with 140 cyclists racing in the Tour of Turkey.

This year, the six-day tour started in Konya on Oct. 9 and will end in Istanbul on Oct. 14.



Stages:


Stage 1: Konya - Konya / Oct. 9 // 149.7 km

Stage 2: Alanya - Antalya / Oct. 10 // 154.1 km

Stage 3: Fethiye - Marmaris / Oct. 11 // 137 km

Stage 4: Marmaris - Selcuk / Oct. 12 // 206.7 km

Stage 5: Selcuk - Manisa / Oct. 13 // 136.5 km

Stage 6 Bursa - Istanbul / Oct. 14 // 166 km



Teams:

Turkish National Team

Astana Pro Team

Bahrain - Merida

Bmc Racing Team

Bora - Hansgrohe

Burgos - BH

Caja Rural - Seguros RGA

CCC Sprandi Polkowice

Delko Marseille Provence KTM

Euskadi Basque Country - Murias

Gazprom - Rusvelo

Manzana Postobon Team

Quick - Step Floors

Sport Vlaanderen - Baloise

Team Katusha Alpecin

Team Sunweb

Trek - Segafredo

UAE Team Emirates

WB Aqua Protect Veranclassic

Wilier Triestina - Selle Italia